The Hofstra baseball team continued their play in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational on Saturday, March 2, and split their double-header, falling to Central Michigan University 24-7 in Game 1 and defeating Saint Peter’s University 14-9 in Game 2. They now sit at 2-5 on the season.

Things did not fare well for the Pride in its Game 1 loss to Central Michigan. The game was tied at one heading into the second inning until Central Michigan erupted for 10 unanswered runs. The Chippewas plated four in the second and six more runs in the fourth.

Two innings later, Central Michigan tacked on an additional 13 runs to skyrocket them to 24.

Zach Heeke, Jacob Crum and Zavier Warren all had a big game for the Chippewas, propelling them to the to the victory. Crum went 4-5 and drove in two runs, Heeke went 3-6 with one RBI and four runs scored and Warren went 2-4 with four runs batted in. Despite the loss, shortstop Austin Gauthier continued to swing the bat well for Hofstra. He is now batting .313 on the young season after going 1-2 with an RBI.  

Both the Pride and the Chippewas struggled on the mound on Saturday.

For Hofstra, Brad Camarda was on the rubber and could not replicate the outing he had in his first start this season against University of the Incarnate Word. Camarda pitched only two innings, surrendering five runs on five hits. The Pride’s bullpen could not get the job done either, giving up a combined 11 earned runs after Camarda was relieved.

While Central Michigan’s pitching also was not on top of their game, they were able to get the job done. Starting pitcher, Cameron Brown allowed four earned runs on seven hits in four and two thirds innings.

Central Michigan improved to 7-2 on the season with the victory, while the Pride dropped to 1-5.

Game 2 went much better for Hofstra. They defeated Saint Peter’s by a score of 14-9, getting their second win of the season and first in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

Ryan Rue delivered six innings of two-run ballgame to earn his first career victory in a Pride uniform.

Hofstra’s bats came alive early in this one as they scored six runs in the first two innings. After four innings, the Pride led Saint Peter’s 10-2. Vito Friscia got Hofstra on the board first with an RBI single. Friscia finished the day reaching base four times and driving in one run. Gauthier had yet another strong game for the Pride by driving in two runs with two hits. Anthony D’Onofrio also had a huge game to contribute to the win. He finished 4-5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in.

Mike Murray came on to pitch in the eighth and fired two scoreless innings to close out the game, snapping the Pride’s four-game losing streak and improving their record to 2-5. Saint Peter’s remains winless at 0-6.

Hofstra closes out the RussMatt Invitational Sunday, March 3, afternoon against Butler University in Sanford, Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.